News for 'Constitutional Bench'

Sexual harassment case cannot be closed over compromise: SC

Sexual harassment case cannot be closed over compromise: SC

Rediff.com7 Nov 2024

The observation came while setting aside an order of the Rajasthan high court which had quashed the FIR against a teacher who was accused of sexually molesting a 16-year-old girl at school in Rajasthan's Sawai Madhopur district.

Bombay HC ex-judge of 'skin to skin' ruling to get pension

Bombay HC ex-judge of 'skin to skin' ruling to get pension

Rediff.com13 Mar 2025

The Bombay High Court has ruled that Pushpa Ganediwala, the former HC judge who had faced criticism for a series of controversial judgments in POCSO Act cases, is entitled to receive pension on par with a high court judge. Ganediwala was demoted as district sessions judge at the end of her additional judgeship in 2022 following an uproar over some judgments passed by her on the interpretation of what constitutes a sexual assault under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act. She had filed a petition challenging a communication issued by the HC registrar declaring that she was not eligible for pension of a HC judge. The court quashed the communication and directed the registry to fix her pension with 6% interest from February 2022.

Loudspeakers not essential for any religion, rules HC

Loudspeakers not essential for any religion, rules HC

Rediff.com24 Jan 2025

The Bombay High Court has ruled that the use of loudspeakers is not an essential part of any religion and has directed law enforcement agencies to take prompt action against loudspeakers that violate noise pollution norms. The court also ordered the state government to direct religious institutions to adopt mechanisms for controlling noise levels, including calibrated sound systems with auto-decibel limits. The decision came in response to a petition filed by two housing associations alleging police inaction against noise pollution caused by loudspeakers installed on mosques in the area.

'Anti-India' slogans: SC seeks Maha reply to contempt plea

'Anti-India' slogans: SC seeks Maha reply to contempt plea

Rediff.com24 Mar 2025

The Supreme Court has directed a Maharashtra authority to respond to a man's plea for initiating contempt action against it after his properties were demolished for allegedly raising anti-India slogans during a cricket match. The petitioner, who hails from Sindhudurg district in the state, claims his house and shop were demolished on February 24 following an FIR against him, his wife, and his 14-year-old son for allegedly raising anti-India slogans during the India-Pakistan Champions Trophy match. The plea argues that the demolition violated the Supreme Court's November 13, 2024 verdict on demolition of properties, which barred demolition without a prior showcause notice and 15 days' time for the aggrieved party to respond. The petitioner seeks directions for initiating contempt proceedings against the chief officer and administrator of the Malvan Municipal Council.

Disclose all electoral bond details by Thursday, SC tells SBI

Disclose all electoral bond details by Thursday, SC tells SBI

Rediff.com18 Mar 2024

A five-judge constitution bench headed by Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud said there is "no manner of doubt" that the SBI is required to disclose complete details of the bonds.

9-judge SC bench to hear Sabarimala review plea from Jan 13

9-judge SC bench to hear Sabarimala review plea from Jan 13

Rediff.com7 Jan 2020

The judges on the bench are CJI S A Bobde, Justices R Banumathi, Ashok Bhushan, L Nageswara Rao, M M Shantanagoudar, S A Nazeer, R Subhash Reddy, B R Gavai and Surya Kant.

RG Kar protests: SC orders probe against Kolkata cops

RG Kar protests: SC orders probe against Kolkata cops

Rediff.com25 Nov 2024

The Supreme Court on Monday ordered an SIT investigation into the alleged torture of a woman in police custody following her arrest over protests against the rape and murder of a doctor at R G Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata.

Relief for madrasas in UP as SC reverses HC verdict

Relief for madrasas in UP as SC reverses HC verdict

Rediff.com5 Nov 2024

The high court erred in holding that the law was violative of the principle of secularism, said a bench comprising Chief Justice of India D Y Chandrachud and Justices J B Pardiwala and Manoj Misra.

SC stays court proceedings in all masjid-mandir cases

SC stays court proceedings in all masjid-mandir cases

Rediff.com12 Dec 2024

Commencing hearing on pleas challenging the constitutionality of the Places of Worship Act, 1991, the Supreme Court asked the Centre to reply to cross-pleas against or seeking implementation of statute.

Will devise mechanism to end caste bias in institutions: SC

Will devise mechanism to end caste bias in institutions: SC

Rediff.com3 Jan 2025

The Supreme Court of India has announced its intention to establish an effective mechanism to address caste-based discrimination in educational institutions throughout the country. The court directed the University Grants Commission (UGC) to draft regulations to prevent such discrimination and to provide data on institutions that have implemented equal opportunity cells as mandated by the 2012 UGC equity regulations. The court's decision stems from a public interest litigation filed in 2019 highlighting the prevalence of caste-based discrimination in higher education institutions and its tragic consequences, including the suicides of students like Rohith Vemula and Payal Tadvi.

Tirupati: SC replaces AP's probe with independent SIT to 'assuage feelings'

Tirupati: SC replaces AP's probe with independent SIT to 'assuage feelings'

Rediff.com4 Oct 2024

The Supreme Court on Friday set up a five-member independent SIT to probe the allegations of animal fat used in preparing Tirupati laddus to "assuage the feelings of crores of people" while making clear that the court cannot be used as a "political battleground".

President Murmu rejects Pak terrorist's mercy plea in Red Fort attack case

President Murmu rejects Pak terrorist's mercy plea in Red Fort attack case

Rediff.com12 Jun 2024

The President took the decisive move on May 27.

Yakub verdict: SC constitutes 3-judge bench after split verdict

Yakub verdict: SC constitutes 3-judge bench after split verdict

Rediff.com28 Jul 2015

A three-judge bench was on Tuesday set up in the Supreme Court to decide the fate of Yakub Memon, the lone death row convict in 1993 Mumbai blasts case, after a two-judge bench was divided on his plea seeking stay of his execution scheduled on July 30

SC/STs not homogeneous, observes top court in quota within quota hearing

SC/STs not homogeneous, observes top court in quota within quota hearing

Rediff.com7 Feb 2024

The Supreme Court, examining whether states can sub-classify Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes for grant of quota inside quota, on Wednesday said all SCs and STs may not be homogeneous in terms of their sociological, economic, education and social status.

CJI among SC judges who delivered Ayodhya ruling invited for Ram temple event

CJI among SC judges who delivered Ayodhya ruling invited for Ram temple event

Rediff.com19 Jan 2024

Besides the present CJI Chandrachud, former CJIs Ranjan Gogoi and SA Bobde and former judges Ashok Bhushan and S Abdul Nazeer were part of the bench which had delivered the historic verdict on November 9, 2019.

SC upholds EC order, says Sharad Pawar faction can use this name ....

SC upholds EC order, says Sharad Pawar faction can use this name ....

Rediff.com19 Feb 2024

The bench gave liberty to Sharad Pawar to move the poll panel for allocation of the party symbol and directed the poll panel to allot it in one week of the application.

SC orders stricter anti-pollution curbs as Delhi AQI slips to 'severe+'

SC orders stricter anti-pollution curbs as Delhi AQI slips to 'severe+'

Rediff.com18 Nov 2024

An AQI of 400 or higher is deemed 'severe' and it can have an adverse effect on both healthy individuals and people who already have medical conditions.

EC Arun Goel resigns days ahead of Lok Sabha poll announcement

EC Arun Goel resigns days ahead of Lok Sabha poll announcement

Rediff.com10 Mar 2024

His tenure was till December 5, 2027, and he would have become Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) after incumbent Rajiv Kumar retired in February next year.

SC to hear pleas to review same-sex marriage verdict on July 10

SC to hear pleas to review same-sex marriage verdict on July 10

Rediff.com5 Jul 2024

According to the cause list of July 10 uploaded on the apex court website, a five-judge bench headed by Chief Justice DY Chandrachud would consider in chambers the pleas seeking review of the October 17 last year verdict.

Article 370 itself has self-limiting character, SC tells petitioner

Article 370 itself has self-limiting character, SC tells petitioner

Rediff.com23 Aug 2023

The bench posed questions to senior advocate Gopal Sankaranarayanan, appearing for one of the petitioners Soayib Qureshi, who has challenged the Centre's August 5, 2019 decision to abrogate the provision.

Punishing entire families, says SC on razing homes of accused

Punishing entire families, says SC on razing homes of accused

Rediff.com13 Nov 2024

The apex court said when a particular structure is chosen all of a sudden for demolition and the rest of similarly situated structures in the same vicinity are not even being touched, "mala fide may loom large".

SC junks plea to replace 'Hindutva' with 'Bharatiya Samidhaanitva'

SC junks plea to replace 'Hindutva' with 'Bharatiya Samidhaanitva'

Rediff.com21 Oct 2024

"This is complete abuse of the process," said the bench comprising Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud and justices JB Pardiwala and Manoj Misra while junking the PIL on the issue.

Institute of national importance can also be a minority one: SC on AMU

Institute of national importance can also be a minority one: SC on AMU

Rediff.com31 Jan 2024

There is nothing "fundamentally inconsistent" with a minority institution being an institution of national importance (INI), the Supreme Court said on Wednesday while hearing arguments on the vexed issue of minority status to Aligarh Muslim University (AMU).

Should Rohingya children go to school? Delhi HC says...

Should Rohingya children go to school? Delhi HC says...

Rediff.com29 Oct 2024

The Delhi high court on Tuesday refused to entertain a plea seeking directions to enrol Rohingya refugee children in local schools, saying it was the Centre's domain.

How 6 names shortlisted within hrs, SC asks govt on EC appointments

How 6 names shortlisted within hrs, SC asks govt on EC appointments

Rediff.com21 Mar 2024

The Supreme Court on Thursday questioned the Centre over the procedure adopted for the appointment of election commissioners and asked how six names were shortlisted from 200 within a few hours.

State has to ensure quality education in govt-run madrasas: SC

State has to ensure quality education in govt-run madrasas: SC

Rediff.com21 Oct 2024

Commencing final arguments on a batch of pleas against the verdict, the bench, heard senior lawyers including Abhishek Manu Singhvi, Salman Khursheed and Menaka Guruswamy for the petitioners.

SC stays survey of Sambhal mosque, calls for peace

SC stays survey of Sambhal mosque, calls for peace

Rediff.com29 Nov 2024

The Supreme Court on Friday directed a Sambhal trial court to temporarily halt proceedings in the case over the Mughal-era Shahi Jama Masjid and its survey at Chandausi while directing the UP government to maintain peace and harmony in the violence-hit town.

So-called farmer leaders want to.....: SC slams Punjab over Dallewal fast

So-called farmer leaders want to.....: SC slams Punjab over Dallewal fast

Rediff.com2 Jan 2025

The Supreme Court criticized the Punjab government for making irresponsible statements regarding farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal's indefinite fast and questioned the intentions of some farmer leaders. The court emphasized that it never directed Dallewal to break his fast but expressed concern for his health and urged medical aid. The bench expressed frustration over the government's attempts to create an impression that they were persuading Dallewal to end his fast, despite the court's directives to provide medical aid.

Govt must be given leeway to save nation: SC on Sec 6A of citizenship law

Govt must be given leeway to save nation: SC on Sec 6A of citizenship law

Rediff.com7 Dec 2023

Referring to section 6A of the Citizenship Act applicable exclusively to Assam, a five-judge constitution bench headed by Chief Justice DY Chandrachud said governments have to make compromises for the overall well-being of the nation.

Babri Masjid demolition: SC closes contempt proceedings

Babri Masjid demolition: SC closes contempt proceedings

Rediff.com30 Aug 2022

While closing the contempt proceedings, the bench observed that the matter ought to have come up for hearing earlier.

SC agrees to examine constitutionality of 'triple talaq'

SC agrees to examine constitutionality of 'triple talaq'

Rediff.com29 Jun 2016

The apex court said 'we are not straightaway arriving at any conclusion' as there were 'very strong views' on both sides. It said it will also see if there was any error in previous judgements which dealt with the issue and decide whether it can be referred to a larger or a five-judge constitution bench.

SC protects ex-IAS trainee Puja Khedkar from arrest till Feb 14

SC protects ex-IAS trainee Puja Khedkar from arrest till Feb 14

Rediff.com15 Jan 2025

The Supreme Court has granted anticipatory bail to Puja Khedkar, a former IAS probationer, who is accused of cheating and wrongly availing OBC and disability quota benefits in the civil services examination. Khedkar is accused of misrepresenting information in her application for the UPSC civil services examination, 2022, to get reservation benefits. She has refuted all the allegations against her.

SC frees man jailed for 25 years, finds he was a juvenile at time of crime

SC frees man jailed for 25 years, finds he was a juvenile at time of crime

Rediff.com9 Jan 2025

The Supreme Court of India ordered the release of a man who had spent 25 years in prison for murder, ruling that he was a juvenile at the time of the crime. The court found that the convict, Om Prakash alias Raju, had been wrongly convicted due to errors by the courts in determining his age. The case highlights the importance of proper age verification and the need for courts to actively ensure the fair treatment of juveniles within the legal system.

Secularism means live and let live: SC on question of regulating madrasas

Secularism means live and let live: SC on question of regulating madrasas

Rediff.com22 Oct 2024

Observing secularism means to 'live and let live', the Supreme Court on Tuesday said regulating madrasas was in the national interest as several hundred years of the nation's composite culture could not be wished away by creating silos for minorities.

SC judge flags abuse of Section 6A in dissenting judgment

SC judge flags abuse of Section 6A in dissenting judgment

Rediff.com17 Oct 2024

"The open-ended nature of Section 6A has, with the passage time, become more prone to abuse due to the advent of forged documents to establish, inter-alia (among other things), wrong date of entry into Assam, inaccurate lineage, falsified government records created by corrupt officials, dishonest corroboration of the date of entry by other relatives so as to aid illegal immigrants who are otherwise not eligible under Section 6A by virtue of having entered into Assam after March 24,1971," he noted in a separate 127-page dissenting judgment.

'Bulldozer justice' simply unacceptable: SC

'Bulldozer justice' simply unacceptable: SC

Rediff.com10 Nov 2024

Citizens' voices cannot be throttled by a threat of destroying their properties and 'bulldozer justice' is simply unacceptable under the rule of law, the Supreme Court has said.

State can't pick and choose castes for quota, says SC, reserves verdict

State can't pick and choose castes for quota, says SC, reserves verdict

Rediff.com8 Feb 2024

The Supreme Court, examining whether states can sub-classify the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes for the grant of a quota within a quota, said on Thursday that the state governments cannot be selective in granting reservation benefits to backward classes as it will lead to a dangerous trend of appeasement.

BJP Plays Dalit Ace In Haryana

BJP Plays Dalit Ace In Haryana

Rediff.com19 Oct 2024

The move, a first in the country after the Supreme Court order, is intended to consolidate the BJP's Dalit outreach in Haryana.

SC junks legal framework enabling electoral bonds

SC junks legal framework enabling electoral bonds

Rediff.com16 Feb 2024

A five-judge constitution bench headed by Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud held that the 2018 scheme was 'violative' of the constitutional right to freedom of speech and expression and right to information.

No religion promotes pollution: SC on cracker ban

No religion promotes pollution: SC on cracker ban

Rediff.com11 Nov 2024

A bench of Justices Abhay S Oka and Augustine George Masih therefore directed the Delhi police commissioner to immediately inform all the stakeholders concerned about the ban order and ensure no sale and manufacture of crackers.